SUPERIOR, FULLY INTERACTIVE, ONLINE INSTRUCTION
Full Mentorships with Rebecca Leveille, Dan Dos Santos, Greg Manchess, Scott Fischer, Todd Lockwood, Donato Giancola and Figure Boot Camp Basics & Beginning Illustration with Marc Scheff. For more information and to enroll click here
Fall 2017 SPECIAL GUESTS
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Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson has worked in the hobby game industry since 1995 as a concept artist, illustrator, art director for Wizards of the Coast, and as a game designer. In 2000, Matt founded Privateer Press to create expressions of his own original property concepts. Since that time, Matt has created multiple worlds, designed several games and produced almost a decade's worth of successful products, including the award winning WARMACHINE and HORDES miniature games, the Iron Kingdoms RPG setting, and the latest Collectible Miniatures Game sensation, Monsterpocalypse. We're happy to announce that the award winning owner and Chief Creative Officer of Privateer Press, Matt Wilson, will be joining Donato's Class this fall as a special guest. |
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Doug Alexander Gregory
Doug Gregory has over twenty-two years of professional experience as an illustrator, concept artist, and comic artist working for many major publishing and entertainment companies. His client list includes Microsoft, Sony, Sci-Fi Chanel, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Warner Brothers, Lucas Film, Wizards of the Coast, and Hasbro. Currently at Blizzard Entertainment, Doug has directed art for World of Warcraft TCG, Diablo: The Book of Cain, and oversaw the production of Blizzard's first children's book, Snow Fight. His most recent project has been directing a 6-part series of animated shorts for World of Warcraft's Mists of Pandaria expansion, titled The Burdens of Shahao. SmArtSchool is proud to welcome Doug Gregory as the special guest for Scott's Class this fall. |
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Sam Weber
Sam Weber is a New York-based illustrator and the recipient of numerous awards including multiple gold medals from both The Society of Illustrators, NYC and the Spectrum Annual. His clients have included: The New Yorker, The New York Times, Scholastic, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Sony/BMG, Random House, The L.A. Times and Penguin. Sam will join Dan Dos Santos' class on week twelve and week fifteen. He will give a presentation about his work and give an assignment to class, then follow up with an in class critique of the work. We are very excited to have Same Weber join us as the special guest for Dan's class this fall. |
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Bradley Platz
Bradley, curator for Modern Eden Gallery, is a San Francisco based oil painter with a background in fine art painting and Art History. Over the last 10 years, Platz has planned, curated, installed, juried, and organized contemporary art exhibitions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Bradley has has been published by High-Fructose, Catapult Magazine, BeinArt International Surreal Art Collective, and many others. We'd like to extend a warm welcome to Bradley who will be joining as the special guest for Rebecca's fall class. |
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Lauren Panepinto
After 11 years designing and art directing book covers, Lauren Panepinto has worked in every publishing genre and collaborated with artists of all disciplines. As the Creative Director of Orbit Books and Yen Press for the past five years, she has been trying to merge the worlds of genre and commercial publishing and figure out what SFF publishing looks like in the present world of mainstream "geek" media. Recently she also became the Creative Director of a new commercial fiction imprint, called Redhook. We're very happy Lauren will be a the special guest for Marc Scheff's Beginning Illustration Class. |
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Allen Williams
is an award winning illustrator, concept designer and fine artist. From a young age a pencil and paper were an escape and refuge for Allen. Now nationally and internationally known, for over 25 years Allen has applied his talents to everything from illustration for gaming companies and book covers, to concept work for major motion pictures( including frequent work with Guillermo del Toro). His vision for such projects ranges from illustration to concept work and creature and character designs. Allen will be a guest in Todd Lockwood's class |
TBA SOON: Greg Manchess' guest
Jonathan LeVine
Every few semesters we bring in a guest that all SAS students can watch and ask questions of, regardless of their survey option choice, or whom they are enrolled with.
We are thrilled to have Jonathan join us in this capacity for our next session!
While Jonathan will be reviewing work from Rebecca's students in the gallery focus mentorship, all of SAS will be given a meeting link to come to this session to ask questions during any Q/A time during the visit.
Every few semesters we bring in a guest that all SAS students can watch and ask questions of, regardless of their survey option choice, or whom they are enrolled with.
We are thrilled to have Jonathan join us in this capacity for our next session!
While Jonathan will be reviewing work from Rebecca's students in the gallery focus mentorship, all of SAS will be given a meeting link to come to this session to ask questions during any Q/A time during the visit.
As a youth growing up in Trenton, New Jersey during the 1980s, LeVine recognized the appeal of countercultural aesthetics including punk flyers, comics, graffiti and tattoos. Beginning in 1994, LeVine became an independent curator, organizing exhibitions at punk and alternative rock venues in the NY/NJ area such as: CBGB, Webster Hall, Max Fish, and Maxwell's. By promoting these visual art forms through group shows in venues that were home to their musical counterparts, LeVine gave a home to this nascent art movement, early on.
In February 2001, LeVine opened his own gallery Tin Man Alley in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The gallery relocated to Philadelphia in late 2002. In January 2005, LeVine renamed and moved his gallery to the epicenter of the contemporary art world, Manhattan's Chelsea district. After 12 years in New York City, LeVine returned to his New Jersey roots and relocated the gallery to Jersey City. Jonathan LeVine is pleased to continue cultivating new and long-standing relationships with artists and collectors through exhibitions and special programs that go beyond the white cube gallery model.
In February 2001, LeVine opened his own gallery Tin Man Alley in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The gallery relocated to Philadelphia in late 2002. In January 2005, LeVine renamed and moved his gallery to the epicenter of the contemporary art world, Manhattan's Chelsea district. After 12 years in New York City, LeVine returned to his New Jersey roots and relocated the gallery to Jersey City. Jonathan LeVine is pleased to continue cultivating new and long-standing relationships with artists and collectors through exhibitions and special programs that go beyond the white cube gallery model.
OUR GUEST PROFESSIONALS
All of our 2017 "FULL MENTORSHIPS" have one industry special guests attend their class and meet the students.
Our past guests have included the Editor in Chief of Dark Horse Comic'c Scott Allie, the founder and head of Vertigo Comics Karen Berger, Senior AD for Scholastic David Saylor, Creative Director for Blizzard Doug Gregory, Wizards of the Coasts Dawn Murin, Senior Art Director for Charlesbridge Publishing Susan Sherman, Senior Art Director for the Science Fiction Book Club Matthew Kalamidas, Editor in Chief of TOR.COM Irene Gallo, Former head of childrens publishing at Simon& Schuster and current Artists Agent Rubin Pfeffer, FFG's Zoe Robinson and Andrew Navaro, and many more .
Our past guests have included the Editor in Chief of Dark Horse Comic'c Scott Allie, the founder and head of Vertigo Comics Karen Berger, Senior AD for Scholastic David Saylor, Creative Director for Blizzard Doug Gregory, Wizards of the Coasts Dawn Murin, Senior Art Director for Charlesbridge Publishing Susan Sherman, Senior Art Director for the Science Fiction Book Club Matthew Kalamidas, Editor in Chief of TOR.COM Irene Gallo, Former head of childrens publishing at Simon& Schuster and current Artists Agent Rubin Pfeffer, FFG's Zoe Robinson and Andrew Navaro, and many more .
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"Many great artists now working regularly in the industry first came onto my radar through a SmArt School class, including Wylie Beckert, Kribi Fagan and Tommy Arnold( whom I've personally commissioned for three books recently...)"
Lauren Panepinto- Orbit Books |
We are SO proud to see former SmArt School students represented in this amazing project from publisher Jon Schindehette! Some of these projects above were completed in SAS classes and now will be published in this collector book along side Kinuko Craft, James Gurney, George Pratt and many other industry luminaries!
To PURCHASE this special book click here!
WHAT SMARTSCHOOL ALUM HAVE TO SAY
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SAS has given me an opportunity to learn from the best in the field. Rebecca is very supportive and she always pushed me to do better works that the last, giving inputs on how to elevate the works beyond just good. She readily shared her experience, and encouraged us students to put our works out there.
-Daria Theodora 
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My first Smart School class was in 2014 with Marc Scheff's Illustration Bootcamp.
Drawing and painting were passionate hobbies of mine at the time. My skills were limited and perception of "good" or "bad" art had been solidified by then, my mid twenties. This all dissolved after three months of Smart School. I learned to enjoy the challenge of capturing a figure's difficult pose. My draftsmanship improved and I found a reason to keep my hobby. Maybe even push it into a part time lifestyle. Rebecca's class, taken in fall 2016, is when I accepted myself as an artist. My identity before was "no one special, just a guy with a brush and some charcoal." Now, I am worth something and have a strong inner voice guiding each new painting. My work is more abstract, loose, and confident after taking Rebecca's class. The new portfolio has been accepted into international gallery shows, most notably Site:Brooklyn in New York. Smart School has instilled a hungry curiosity and discipline to explore visual art and step foot into the world of fine art with confidence and excitement. -John Kayrouz |
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SmArt School was exactly what I needed to bridge that gap from student portfolio to professional level work. The instructors are generous, knowledgeable, and passionate about art and are fierce advocates for your success as an artist. They push you out of your comfort zone and into new areas of growth like the best coaches -- firm, supportive, and providing you with the resources to get you there.
I've been fortunate to be in mentorships with Rebecca and Scott. Rebecca forced me (in the best way) to buckle down and draw figures, sensitive faces, and hands. She teaches you how to incorporate your inspirations and emotions into your work so that you make more than clever or pretty pictures. I've learned to appreciate the face and hands as individual and expressive in their own right and to use compositional elements to imbue an overall authenticity, genuineness, and emotional punch into a piece. Scott injects so much energy, enthusiasm, and dynamic flow! He will drill shape language, silhouettes, and to consider how to push graphic elements to your storytelling. Digital painting is more like play with him, an attitude he carries over to his traditional work too. He will teach you to be a consummate tinkerer, embrace experimentation, and go for those "crazy" ideas! These mentorships go beyond just refining your craft. The instructors candidly discuss their own work and careers. We've had so many heartfelt, soul-searching discussions about why we make art, what your work means to you, overcoming your inner demons, imposter syndrome, blocks, and the creative process, as well as the business of being an artist. You get an invaluable window into what being a professional artist feels like, the pace, the mindset, how to regroup, and how and what to submit. Thank you so much! I've made great professional contacts, started getting into competition journals, and just sold my first piece! No joke... I would not have done it without you and Smart School. I'm convinced that mentorships with Smart School are the best way to supercharge your growth and move forward towards your goals! -Christine Rhee |
Before I began smart school, I had four years of college level art education that hadn't done much to allow me to summon the pictures I've always wanted to create from my head. No matter who I asked when I tried to improve, the only answer I received was, 'do more studies, do more studies, do more studies...' and so I copied picture after picture in a braindead fashion with paltry results to show for it. I didn't know why I was doing them or what information I was getting - until I started working with Greg Manchess.
Manchess surprised me with his calm rationale. Rather than other art teacher's vague instructions (now, capture the figure's essence why don't you), Greg started us off immediately with scientific, rational explanations for his ways of thinking, the growth of an artist and even the human psyche as it came to the ability to produce art over a lifetime. When we presented our work, he'd explain every stroke he made. Try to argue against him and he'd defeat you with pure logic. Try to make excuses for yourself and once again -
you'd be defeated rationally. Greg made it clear that, with enough hard work, any one of us could become exceptional
and expected nothing less from us. He gave us no magic tricks, but he did give solid strategies about everything from composition to visual communication, and even practical ways to address the overwhelming failures we all as artists experience. And on top of all of that, he's just about the sweetest guy you'll ever meet!
If you haven't taken his class and feel intimidated by his work or as if you're not good enough for him yet, I'd hope you'll change your mind. Greg is endlessly patient with students of all skill levels and not one of us has regretted our afternoons sharing art, our knowledge and laughs together.
-Ashley Lange
Manchess surprised me with his calm rationale. Rather than other art teacher's vague instructions (now, capture the figure's essence why don't you), Greg started us off immediately with scientific, rational explanations for his ways of thinking, the growth of an artist and even the human psyche as it came to the ability to produce art over a lifetime. When we presented our work, he'd explain every stroke he made. Try to argue against him and he'd defeat you with pure logic. Try to make excuses for yourself and once again -
you'd be defeated rationally. Greg made it clear that, with enough hard work, any one of us could become exceptional
and expected nothing less from us. He gave us no magic tricks, but he did give solid strategies about everything from composition to visual communication, and even practical ways to address the overwhelming failures we all as artists experience. And on top of all of that, he's just about the sweetest guy you'll ever meet!
If you haven't taken his class and feel intimidated by his work or as if you're not good enough for him yet, I'd hope you'll change your mind. Greg is endlessly patient with students of all skill levels and not one of us has regretted our afternoons sharing art, our knowledge and laughs together.
-Ashley Lange
My mentorship with Todd Lockwood was probably the biggest step up for me in several years, in terms of my art, and has stuck with me since. Even in the class setting, I was granted so much one-on-one advice and mentorship from Todd that it never felt like a traditional classroom.
I took a second mentorship with Iain McCaig, which unexpectedly pushed my storyboarding skills enough that I'm working full time in the animation industry.
I owe a lot to everyone - Rebecca, my mentors, and the other students in my classes, many of which I've kept close contact with since. Looking forward to taking another one soon!
-Britt-Lise Newstead
I took a second mentorship with Iain McCaig, which unexpectedly pushed my storyboarding skills enough that I'm working full time in the animation industry.
I owe a lot to everyone - Rebecca, my mentors, and the other students in my classes, many of which I've kept close contact with since. Looking forward to taking another one soon!
-Britt-Lise Newstead
It has been an amazing 3 months for me. The teachers are all very supportive, passionate, and so focused on what the students need.
I have got assignments that pushed me beyond my comfort zone, trying out new approaches, Improving areas where I am lacking and I really feel that I have improved during my study here. Every time I approach a new painting now , the voices of the instructors just kept echoing
in my head XD and it is a very good thing to keep having questioning
your piece what is important and what is not.
Smart school has been one of my smartest choices in life. Thank you.
-Lie setiawan
I have got assignments that pushed me beyond my comfort zone, trying out new approaches, Improving areas where I am lacking and I really feel that I have improved during my study here. Every time I approach a new painting now , the voices of the instructors just kept echoing
in my head XD and it is a very good thing to keep having questioning
your piece what is important and what is not.
Smart school has been one of my smartest choices in life. Thank you.
-Lie setiawan
After I graduated with my BFA, I fell into a slump and lost direction with my work. I decided to take Illustration 102 with Marc Scheff and I am so happy that I did! I feel like I have made a huge step forward in finding my specific, artistic voice. Marc was very helpful to all the members in our class, helping us on an individual basis with each of our specific goals.
I also sat in on Donato's lecture series, which was fantastic! How do you boil down 20+ years of experience in to 12 weeks? He has somehow managed to do this! It truly was jam-packed with high quality content.
-Allison Langston_
I also sat in on Donato's lecture series, which was fantastic! How do you boil down 20+ years of experience in to 12 weeks? He has somehow managed to do this! It truly was jam-packed with high quality content.
-Allison Langston_
The difference Donato Giancola made for me is incredible. He would open doors of knowledge and experiences to help us grow tremendously. With a painting I worked on during his Spring class 2014, I was accepted as a finalist within the ARC International Salon Competition. For me, that is a great achievement. Thank you SmArt School, thank you Donato!
-Nik Anikis Skusek
-Nik Anikis Skusek
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My experience working with Dan was amazing. I feel to have received a major upgrade in my image making abilities. It was an experience akin to ninja training and I feel to have acquired skills and information that will potentially launch me into creative realms previously unreachable. I am SO glad I stumbled upon smART School and hope to return in the future!
-Karen MacKenzie |
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Faculty Clients, Awards, Honors, Gallery Shows, Accolades:
The United Nations, LucasArts, Marvel Comics, Carus Publishing, Topps, Houghton Mifflin, MTV, Easton Press, Dark Horse Comics, The Science Fiction Book Club, Barefoot Books, Farrar Strauss&Giroux, National Geographic, Scientific American, CNN, DC Comics, Microsoft, The Village Voice, Playboy Magazine, US Postal Service, Wizards of the Coast, Blizzard, Scholastic, Simon&Schuster, Tor Books, Random House, Time/Warner, The Scifi Channel, OMNI, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, The Smithsonian, Time, Federal Express, Paramount, Columbia, Disney, Milton-Bradley, Hasbro, Atlantic Monthly, Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators, Nineteen Chesley Awards, 2 Chesley Nominations, 2 Eisner nominations, 1 Caldicott nomination, Three Artist Hugo Awards, Gold and Silver Medals from the Society of Illustrators, notable awards from the Art Renewal Center, and multiple silver and gold medals among all faculty from the juried annual Spectrum: The Best of Contemporary Fantastic Art, The Roq la Rue Gallery,The R. Michelson Gallery, The Allentown Museum of Art, The Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art, Jonathan Levine Gallery, LeBasse Projects, The American Museum of Illustration.......and more
The United Nations, LucasArts, Marvel Comics, Carus Publishing, Topps, Houghton Mifflin, MTV, Easton Press, Dark Horse Comics, The Science Fiction Book Club, Barefoot Books, Farrar Strauss&Giroux, National Geographic, Scientific American, CNN, DC Comics, Microsoft, The Village Voice, Playboy Magazine, US Postal Service, Wizards of the Coast, Blizzard, Scholastic, Simon&Schuster, Tor Books, Random House, Time/Warner, The Scifi Channel, OMNI, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, The Smithsonian, Time, Federal Express, Paramount, Columbia, Disney, Milton-Bradley, Hasbro, Atlantic Monthly, Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators, Nineteen Chesley Awards, 2 Chesley Nominations, 2 Eisner nominations, 1 Caldicott nomination, Three Artist Hugo Awards, Gold and Silver Medals from the Society of Illustrators, notable awards from the Art Renewal Center, and multiple silver and gold medals among all faculty from the juried annual Spectrum: The Best of Contemporary Fantastic Art, The Roq la Rue Gallery,The R. Michelson Gallery, The Allentown Museum of Art, The Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art, Jonathan Levine Gallery, LeBasse Projects, The American Museum of Illustration.......and more
